Just as Yanagawa had finished calming Hinamori Momo and was preparing to discuss the next specific steps with Renji, Hinamori Momo, and the others, a slightly abrupt yet hearty voice, accompanied by the appearance of a tall figure, broke the heavy atmosphere of the small circle.
“Oh my, it seems I’ve arrived at just the right time!”
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Tenth Division Captain Shiba Isshin, who had silently circled around to their vicinity at some unknown moment.
His face wore that iconic, slightly mischievous, hearty smile, but his movements were a bit “sneaky.”
He first peeked around to confirm that the other captains who had left earlier were far away, and only then did he stride over to Yanagawa.
“Captain Shiba?”
Yanagawa was slightly surprised, but his expression remained calm.
Abarai Renji, Hinamori Momo, and the others hurriedly bowed, wondering why this captain had returned after leaving.
“Don’t be so formal, Brother Yanagawa.”
Shiba Isshin chuckled and scratched his slightly messy short black hair.
“I heard everything at the meeting earlier!”
He first gave a hearty compliment, then immediately cut to the chase, lowering his voice and speaking with a sense of familiarity and urgency as if it were his own business:
“That, Tōshirō Hitsugaya, one of the protagonists of this incident, that white-haired genius kid, he actually already agreed that after graduation, he would join my Tenth Division!
I even secretly prepared a draft of his application to join the division!
That’s a future capable subordinate I’ve got my eye on!”
He paused, looked around at Renji, Hinamori Momo, and the others present, then looked at Yanagawa.
The smile on his face faded slightly, replaced by the concern and responsibility a captain has for a prospective member:
“So you see, this isn’t just your old classmate’s childhood friend; to some extent, he’s also a prospective member of my Tenth Division.
Since he’s in trouble, I, as his prospective captain, can’t just stand by and watch, right?”
This reason was reasonable, and even very straightforward.
He not only indicated his connection to Tōshirō Hitsugaya but also pointed out the legitimacy of his intervention.
“So—”
Shiba Isshin clasped his hands together again and waved them at Yanagawa, his face once again revealing that hearty smile that made it impossible to be angry at him,
“Lord Yanagawa, can you count me in on this operation?
Don’t look at me like this now; although the Shiba Clan has declined, we are still a branch of one of the Five Great Noble Families.
As the head of this branch, I still have some face in the Seireitei.
I might be able to help with gathering information or pulling strings!
Plus, I’m not bad at fighting!”
He patted the Zanpakutō at his waist, full of confidence.
Although the words sounded like boasting, combined with his status as Tenth Division Captain and the background of the Shiba Clan, this was not an empty claim.
Even if the Shiba Clan was not as prominent as families like Kuchiki or Shihōin, its ancient noble heritage and extensive connections could indeed play an unexpected role at certain times.
More importantly, Shiba Isshin was a person who appeared careless but was actually attentive, with a hearty and righteous personality.
He had good relationships within the Gotei 13, and his joining would undoubtedly bring many conveniences.
Yanagawa looked at the captain before him who was unreserved and had directly stated his intentions. This story is hosted at g.com.
Shiba Isshin’s personality was indeed different from many Shinigami he had met before; it lacked a bit of noble affectation and captain-like airs, and had more of a down-to-earth directness and warmth.
This kind of personality was exactly what Yanagawa did not dislike; he was not against socializing, just disgusted by hypocrisy and tediousness.
Shiba Isshin’s straightforwardness, on the contrary, made one feel relaxed.
Moreover, as Shiba Isshin said, he could indeed provide significant assistance.
The formal assistance of a current captain carried far more weight than that of a few lieutenants and seated officers, especially when it was necessary to deal with other divisions or even institutions under the Central 46.
The background of the Shiba Clan could also provide protection or information channels at certain levels.
Yanagawa hardly weighed the pros and cons.
He already needed help, and since Shiba Isshin had come forward voluntarily—possessing the strength, status, and motivation, and with a personality that suited his tastes—there was no reason to refuse.
“Captain Shiba, you are too modest.”
Yanagawa’s tone was calm.
“Since Tōshirō Hitsugaya has an agreement with the Tenth Division, it is only natural for the captain to be concerned about this matter.
With your help, this operation will surely go much more smoothly.”
“Haha!
Great!
That’s the spirit!”
Shiba Isshin slapped Yanagawa’s shoulder hard, smiling so wide his eyes were almost hidden.
“I knew you weren’t that kind of stiff guy!
I like that kid Tōshirō too, it’s good that I can help!
Don’t call me Captain anymore, that’s too formal; just call me Isshin!”
He familiarly put his arm around Yanagawa’s shoulder and winked at Hinamori Momo, Renji, and the others, who were still a bit dazed:
“And you little ones, don’t worry.
With me and Brother Yanagawa here, we’ll definitely get your little friend out safe and sound!”
Shiba Isshin’s joining was like a warm current, instantly dispelling the heaviness and unease brought about by the drastic change in Yanagawa’s identity and the incident itself.
His optimistic and heroic aura infected everyone present.
After watching Renji, Hinamori Momo, and the others leave, only Yanagawa and Shiba Isshin remained at the scene.
“So,”
Yanagawa looked at Shiba Isshin and cut straight to the point,
“According to the plan, we will first meet the two parties involved.
Tōshirō Hitsugaya and Kusaka Sōjirō should currently be held in separate isolation, and the location is Central 46.”
Upon hearing this, Shiba Isshin’s hearty smile faded a little.
He rubbed his chin and nodded, saying:
“Yeah, once something like ‘Twin Hyōrinmaru’ comes up, the real Central 46 takes over, conducting ‘protective’ detention and interrogation; it’s standard procedure.
Tsk, they call it protection, but it’s pretty much the same as being in jail.”
He paused, looked at Yanagawa, his expression becoming somewhat subtle, and began to introduce intelligence about this highest judicial organ of the Soul Society, his tone carrying undisguised sarcasm: This chapter was copied from novelping . com without permission.
“Central 46 is composed of forty ‘Sages’ and six ‘Judges.’ Those guys…
heh, they aren’t easy to deal with.”
“They all fancy themselves the embodiment of the Soul Society’s wisdom and laws, with their eyes grown on top of their heads; they are arrogant as hell.”
“Other than those old, stale rules and the so-called stability of the overall situation, I bet there’s nothing else in their brains.”
“They spend all day in the underground assembly hall where the sun never shines, relying on mountains of files and assumptions to decide other people’s fates.”
He curled his lip and continued:
“However, Yanagawa, you are different this time.
You are here representing the Zero Division.”
He pointed to Yanagawa’s white haori.
“That is the greatest pass and amulet.
No matter how arrogant those old fogies are, as long as they haven’t gone completely senile, they would never dare to openly obstruct or defy the will of the Soul King Palace.
They don’t have the guts for a direct confrontation.”
“However,”
Shiba Isshin changed the subject, a flash of shrewdness and disdain appearing in his eyes,
“playing dirty tricks behind the scenes, feigning compliance while acting otherwise, making things difficult with procedures, or withholding key information…
these are their specialties.”
“Those people value their own authority and that rigid set of procedures more than anything.”
“I bet that if it weren’t for the Zero Division’s clear intervention this time, which put pressure on them, according to their usual style, they probably would have already assessed it privately and quietly made some kind of decision that complies with regulations but isn’t necessarily fair.”
His analysis was sharp and to the point, clearly dissecting the nature of Central 46, their possible ways of responding, and the hidden resistance Yanagawa might face on this trip.
Yanagawa listened quietly; what Shiba Isshin said basically matched his previous speculations.
The identity of the Zero Division is a tiger skin—it can intimidate on the surface, but it cannot stop the undercurrents.
The Sages and Judges who control the interpretation of the Soul Society’s laws and have the power of life and death over some personnel have become extremely inflated by their desire for power and their high-and-mighty status.
Although Yanagawa represents the Zero Division, he is truly too young, and I fear those old guys might pull some tricks behind his back.
“A game of power and rules, huh…”
Yanagawa muttered to himself.
“I understand, thank you for the reminder, Captain Isshin.”
“Don’t mention it!”
Shiba Isshin waved his hand and returned to his hearty manner,
“We’re on the same team now!
Let’s go, I’ll lead the way!
Let’s go meet those old guys who have their eyes grown on top of their heads!”